What happened next?

Well keep logging on here.  I intend to keep pushing forward and here is where I will be documenting my journey.  I’m going to be setting up a twitter account soon so you’ll be getting bite size RoxStarr news too!

In the meantime, more pictures from NYC and Philly will be going up tomorrow.  Just need to sort out my memory card reader.

Thanks for reading my blog and all of your support.

So Long, Farewell, Aufedersein, Goodbye

Well today’s the last day!! Don’t want to go back home to reality. I love it out here!!! We got up at 7:30am. I had breakfast as Cynthia rushed out as she was on the 8:30am bus back to New York. Cynthia headed off and I got ready to go to Rich Medina’s. After checking out of the hotel I jumped in a taxi and went to Rich’s which was about a 10min drive away. As I knocked his door my voice kind of sunk and my heart started racing. His wife answered and was really nice and brought me upstairs. Rich and their beautiful little boy were playing, then he clocked me and immediately came over gave me a hug and made me feel right at home which was relieving. I’d met rich last summer at MCs for Life and didn’t think he’d remember me, but he did.

Rich and their beautiful little boy were playing, then he clocked me and immediately came over gave me a hug and made me feel right at home which was relieving. I’d met rich last summer at MCs for Life and didn’t think he’d remember me, but he did.

After taking good care of me and being very welcoming we went to Rich’s studio. As we walked in on my left hand side the whole wall top to bottom, left to right was full of records. As I looked around I was amazed! I’ve never been in a studio so equipped and styled to fit a person. The booth was behind computer and all the technical equipment. I fell in love with everything straight away. Then Rich started playing some of his beats to me. Not thinking I just starting flowing over them as bars and new lyrics started coming into my head and I started connecting with the music immediately.

After flicking through about 20 beats Rich made me a CD to take home and write to. This made me feel like the best MC in the world at this moment especially as he was telling how 3-4 songs were made for Lauren Hill. We were vibing off each other, then about 20mins before I had to leave to catch my bus/coach, Rich was like “ ‘im going  to make something real quick I want you to go into the booth and do your thing.” So he started making a beat and I started flowing. The next thing I’m in the booth going hard, in a zone of my own. I turn round and Rich is filming me as I’ve finished my rehearsed bar and I’m just free-styling. That was breathtaking – Rich medina was filming ME with his camera!!!!! We took pictures, vibed to the song and although he never said a lot I think he was feeling my music.

Soon after I had  to leave. Rich dropped me to the coach which was cool. We said our goodbyes and then it was back to New York. Today was definitely a major part of my trip. I was really surprised how nice and level-headed Rich was. He didn’t act like he was any better than me and respected my opinions and also gave me a lot of advice and motivation. I can’t wait to get home to start writing and working on his beats -  show Lauren Hill what she could of done lol

This trip for me has been an eye opener to what’s out there and where you can actually go with music, what gets you the kind of respect you want and how to get it. I feel I’m ready to branch out and try new things to find my sound, and collaborate and work with different  people. This trip has been what I’ve needed. Sometimes it’s good to come away and see things different so when you go back in you know what to work for.

Thank you Punch!! Can’t wait to show you what I’m made of!!!

Snow Day :(

We woke up this morning to find Philly covered in snow 6 – 10 inches deep,  and absolutely freezing!!! Today we were supposed to have a studio session with Rich Medina but he got caught in San Francisco as all airports on the East Coast were closed. We were also supposed to meet with King Britt and Monie Love but due to bad weather it didn’t happen. I didnt’ want the snow to get to me so I hit the mall to find a coat and some clothes but didn’t have much luck.  I was surprised as everything was if not the same but similar to what’s in Birmingham. I found a bright purple body warmer and a bright phone case for my Black Berry and then I went back to the hotel and had a hardcore writing session. I wrote quite a few bars which was good because I haven’t had time to write since I got here.

Later that night we met Ethel Cee at King Britt’s night and had a good time, although it wasn’t packed due to the bad weather. King Britt was there and he came over and sat with me for a while. I got star struck again for a while then started asking him questions and for words of advice. He was really nice and seemed really eager for me to meet and work with different artists he knows.

I also met other artists in there and took details so that when I get back home I can go through all of them a start collaborating or writing with people. Amongst the people we met a name stood out was Deniro who is a singer/song writer/ poet/ singer / rapper – basically he does everything! He works in London a lot and hasd performed at places like Cargo. He also knows Charlie Dark (everyone out here seems to know Charlie!!) who is also a veteran in the game (he was part of a group  called Attica Blues) and I’m fortunate to have worked with him and am still in contact. He actually arranged the hook up with King Britt.

We didn’t have a late night and were back home for 2am. We received a call from Tracy who is Rich Medina’s wife and manager and she confirmed that Rich had  managed to get a flight and would be back for tomorrow morning.  Jumping at the chance to get in the studio with him Cynthia arranged a quick session between 10am and 1pm as we had to be in New York for meeting and we had to make our flight back home!

We decided to split up and I would go to Rich Medina’s and work on some music and Cynthia would head back to New York earlier to make the meetings. Going to Rich’s house was the highlight of the trip for me but before hand I got nervous(again) about being in the studio where Rich has worked with some of music’s best e.g. Lauren Hill, Q- tip etc. so I wrote some more bars the went to bed as we had an early start.

Cheesesteaks, Soft Pretzels & Rhymes

This morning we got up early as we were going to Philadelphia. I was really excited as we were going to meet with Ethel Cee who is a local female mc in Philly and her manager Maori Holmes who also manages Black Thought and Ursula Rucker. We’ve been planning for Ethel to come to Birmingham to check out our scene so I’m keen to find out more about her and her experiences as a young MC in the States.

We caught the coach in Chinatown straight to Philadelphia. It takes two hours to get there but seemed like 20 mins. As we entered Philly the city looked very clean, the buildings were more spaced out and everyone seemed to be moving in a similar (slower) pace to back home, whilst New York was manic!

Once there, we caught a taxi to our hotel which was a 5 minute drive. As we pulled up people were helping us and offering to take our luggage, which was different! The hotel was lovely and made everything more exciting. We went up to our room freshened up then met Ethel and Maori and went for something to eat before getting down to work. We ate at a restaurant called SILK CITY which also is the place where King Britt DJs on a Monday night. The restaurant was a real American diner and looked the spitting image as the diner on Kelis’s video ‘Milkshake’. The food was amazing and the portions again were massive I had chilli ribs mmm…delicious!

We left there and headed back to the hotel where me and Ethel Cee had a little writing session and got to know each other better. (Ethel Cee’s coming to England in June to work with me then and we’ll both be apart of the bass festival organised by Punch records) Ethel was the first MC whilst on this trip that was into electro based music. I was beginning to think that it was Hip Hop or nothing in the states. We spoke about all manner of things including writing techniques, artists who inspire us, what we hope to acheive in the future and what we’d like to do together when she comes over to the UK.

I definitely finished the day on a high. I wrote some bars and had a little thinking session about what to focus on when I get back, how to open different doors and what’s going to be my next move. I’m definitely going to start reading and put all difficulties behind in that area and really show everyone what I’m made of.

Heroes and Legends – Day 3

Saturday morning I got up a bit tired but still buzzing about meeting Busta Rhymes and Q-tip. We walked to the Apollo for the tour as it’s only a few blocks away but unfortunately the tour was full and the next wasn’t till 4pm and we had to be in the Bronx for 3pm. So we left and headed to the subway. On the way to the subway we passed a shop called Radio Shack and went in. Since we’ve been here, both Cynthia and have been looking for a camcorder the size of an iPod which can film clips and easily connect to a computer for transfer. Finally we found a place that had it in stock and at a good price. We both brought one and I immediately started recording so watch our for RoxSTAR TV

Then we reached our destination – a place called The Point which was hosting a hip hop seminar discussing the West Indian origins of Hip Hop.   Various experts were on the panel such as Kool DJ Herc, Kool DJ Red Alert, Just Ice, Ralph McDaniels, Patricia Chin, Dr. Natasha Lightfoot, Brother Vincent, Carter Van Pelt & more and there I found out that  Hip Hop pioneers DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash have roots in the West Indies.

The entire day was very interesting and inspirational. There was an older woman also on the panel who was Jamaican and actually was apart of introducing America to reggae music. She and her husband opened a record shop in Jamaica (Queens, not Jamaica!) and sold both commercial and underground reggae and dancehall. Back then a lot of people told her it wouldn’t catch on but she didn’t listen and her husband actually built a studio so Jamaican artist could start recording more music. I found her speech very powerful and inspiring, and it made me want to start a) recording more and b) start pushing my music out more. After the discussion was over Kool Herc played some music and everyone started to mingle. Pop Master Fabel was there and remembered me from when he came to the UK in 2007 for Punch’s BBoys for Life, which was nice and actually introduced me to people as a MC who was ‘dope’!! I spoke to a lot of people and swooped details, CDs and cards -  everyone from comedians to rappers to models to producers and photographers.
We also met Christie Pabon, who is Fabel’s wife and is well connected in the Hip Hop arena. We didn’t talk for too long as she was busy but were meeting with her for lunch on Tuesday before we go which is exciting. We then left and headed back to Harlem.

Later that night we hit the town again to check out what the local scene is like. I’m not sure of the name of place we went in Harlem to but it was packed. I found it very strange because I’m not the biggest dancehall fan but I know most of the songs that were played but looking around we were the only people dancing then as soon as the hip hop came on the whole place was jumping and acting crazy.  The rest of the night was Hip Hop and no other types of music were played. Interesting to think that in the one of the most diverse cities in the world there’s actually a lot of segration. The music scene in the UK that I’m involved in, is very much influenced by other genres (house, dub step, grime, ragga, garage) so things evolve quickly it brings together a good mix of people.

I had a good time but after a while all the songs and beats sounded the same. I like how back home they play rnb then a bit oh hip hop then bit of funky and switch it up a bit where as here was just hardcore hip hop.  We didn’t stay too late as we had to travel to phili the next morning.  More soon!

Friday Night Hustle

After getting a good night’s sleep we got ready and hit the streets of our local area HARLEM. We’re staying about 10mins walk away from the Apollo Theatre (about 2 blocks) so we went to check it out and see what times they done tours, but they don’t start ‘till Saturday. It’s really nice inside the Apollo. We didn’t go in the hall but the reception area had a lot of pictures of legends that performed there and the staff were pleasant and helpful.

We left there then headed to Brooklyn to meet Shelly who is an established poet/singer/ song writer and plays the bass guitar. When we arrived in Brooklyn it looked very American, meaning the area and the people looked exactly how I imagined and have seen in films. I loved it! We met Shelly in a soul food restaurant called Red Bamboo. It was a vegetarian restaurant which was a bit of a down fall as I love meat!!! The layout and the atmosphere were welcoming and the music they played was good to. Shelly was lovely she had a lot of experience about the New York music scene. She has also travelled around America and performed at a lot of venues and for different audiences. I explained how nervous I was about performing as I am an artist from a grime background. Her response was to be confident and show people you’re confident in bringing what you’ve got to offer. She also told me to perform for my audience whoever they are and whether their showing they feel it or not. After having lunch with Shelly I felt egar to write some more lyrics and was looking forward to perform in Philly.

We left Brooklyn and went to Greenwich Village to have a look around and see what New York quirky fashion is like. We couldn’t find a lot so we then headed to time square which was AMAZING. It was dark so the whole street was lit up it looking like something you wouldn’t even think of. There were lights up and down the buildings and some looked like there was a TV on the side it blew me away!!! We then jumped on a train and went home. We chilled for a little bit then got washed and ready as we were going out to Q-tip and Rich Medina’s night held at Santos club.

Cynthia’s got friends in the area and they invited us to their school’s (Columbia University) black history month fashion show. So we met with them then went to the fashion show at Columbia!! They really nice and friendly and I felt really comfortable. Although we missed a lot of the fashion show what we saw was good, sitting in the hall with the students made me want to enrol. They all looked cool and all had their own styles and groups. I just liked every body’s vibe.  It was weird because a girl came up to me and said “Hi I seen you yesterday on the train. I sat in front of you I like your style”. That felt nice that she remembered me and took the time out to let me know and say hi.

Then we all went to Santos. The crew was really long but thanks to Cynthia and her ENGLISH SWAGGER we got in almost straight away. When you walk in the first room plays funky and soulful house music which I like but it was really empty. Then we went up stairs where Q-tip was playing old school hip hop and it was packed! Couldn’t really dance, never had enough space but I really enjoyed myself and was just really taking it all in. Again Cynthia used her ENGLISH SWAGGER and got us into V.I.P area which was poppin’. Then we started talking to a guy who was Busta Rhymes tour manager. We explained that I was here doing my thing and exchanged details then he said follow me. We followed him then ended up standing right in front of Busta Rhymes. I was star struck for a few minutes then said hi introduced myself. I told him a bit about me then asked for advice and he said work hard and be the best. After I stopped talking and kinda realised what just happened and who I met. I then turned around and Q-tip waved at me!!! I waved back and later went to give him one of my cards but security was tight. He noticed and called me up to the DJ booth. I went up and it was just me and him jamming and vibzing. It was mind blowing definitely – the highlight of my night. I introduced myself and explained everything. He said he was going to check me out and “holla”! We left soon after and all the way home I couldn’t stop thinking about the night I had.
New York seems to be getting better and better I can’t wait for tomorrow were going to a hip hop seminar in the Bronx!!!

In the beginning pt 2

We’re in America!

Coming through customs was really intimidating. I felt like I was a criminal! They took our finger and thumb prints of both hands and then they took a scan of my eye. The customs officers dealing with me asked a lot of questions, whilst he had on a radio (on low) in the background. It was playing Lil’ Wayne’s A Mille. That’s when it hit that we were here!! In England it’s rare for security to have a radio let alone playing Hip Hop. It must have been a sign getting that custom officer.

We then got the bus to Grand Central station then got the subway, which was an experience I was looking forward to. I thought the sibway was similar to London but instead of colour lines, there were numbers and letters. Everyone we asked for directions was helpful. I think we stood out as tourist as we got a few random people offering to take/show us where to go.

We then got to where we were staying in Harlem. Our apartment’s big and spacious. The owner’s really nice and was really helpful. He told us about what’s in the area, where we can go and recommended a few people we should meet up with. After settling in we hit the road again. Across the road from where we’re staying is a huge wall with graffiti art work which I thought was really coo and quite deep as it incorporated words like FREE, SPIRIT, ME, LIFE etc. We then headed to Broadway to find a records store called “Fat Beats” that Ammo recommended to us. On our way we went to Starbucks and I tried my first caramel macchiato coffee. It was amazing. I think I’m going to have one everyday! Perhaps I really am turning into a New Yorker.

This time travelling I was really looking around at fashion and at what statements people were making but no one really stood out. Everyone just looking plain and casual like they were at home. I imagine city girls would be really done up and very feminine and the boys to be in baggy jeans, Averex jackets or clothes we can’t get in England. We were stopped in the street by a guy asking us to come to a comedy club. We ended up talking about music and he played us some of his stuff. Being in America I thought that everyone that rapped would be really good – that’s why I was nervous. After listening to him I felt a lot better! He was good but he sounded like someone doing their thing in England but with an American accent.

Anyway, we got to Fat Beats and there were a few guys outside selling their CDs. They were really friendly and talkative. I spoke to a few of them about their music, we exchange cards and CDs and hopefully going to collaborate in the near future.

When I walked into Fat Beats my first impression was “WOW”, it wasn’t’ that big but was full of CDs, records and the ceiling was covered in posters. Again the assistant was friendly and helpful. I wanted a few CDs of the best underground female rappers around and got Jean Grae, Invincible, Elomina as well as some instrumentals. I gave my details to the assistant so that he could email me information on new stuff, keep me in the know and remember me. Hopefully my CD will be in there soon : ) .

We headed for Macy’s and whilst walking around and travelling I warmed to New York more and more and can see myself living here or staying for a couple of month doing music and working with people. We got outside Macy and went straight in and done the typical female thing and went straight to the make up station. The pound isn’t strong at the moment so the prices were very similar. At this point the time difference really hit us, it was 9pm in NYC and 1 am in England, so we grabbed some food and went home. When I got in I listened to my CDs (mostly Jean Grae) and copied them onto my phone, wrote a little and went to bed!

In the beginning there was a MC

Thurs AM

I was really looking forward to going to New York. Alongside feeling exited and ecstatic I’m also anxious and nervous, especially as I’m an English artist stepping into the birth place of Hip Hop. I think its going to be very fast pace and competitive, but I’m ready for the challenge and eager for the experience. My objective is to go with an open mind ready  and to broaden my style of music.

I’ve long been inspired by the work of artists that have graced the scene since the early 90′s such as Roxanne Shante, Monie Love, Queen Latifa, Missy Elliot, Eve, Lil’ Kim, Ms Dynamite and many more. I’m sure I’ll  come away from this trip with a wealth of knowledge and an in-depth understanding of what it really takes to become a successful artist.

So in the run up to the trip I’ve been working hard with KMD and James Kennaby to produce some new tracks to represent my style at the moment, getting business card together and convincing myself that everything is going to be ok!

So yesterday morning on the way to the airport I was really nervous but also very excited.  When I’m nervous I talk a lot about ever and anything, I think I done Cynthia’s head in.  We got to the airport checked in and got asked a lot of questions (security was very tight) which was different. I haven’t been to America before so it was all new.  We then went upstairs to have breakfast before going to the departure gate.  I had to have a full English!

 

Soon after we boarded the plane, which was huge and long which made me even more nervous as I’m scared of flying.  I was also overwhelmed as we had our own little TV in the head rest which had movies, programmes, games and information of where we were etc.  They also gave us a pillow, blanket and headphones, so after take off I relaxed in no time. I was surprised at the plane food as they gave us loads – chicken, pasta, veggies, apple cake, snakes, drinks and afterwards we had a little lunch box which had a cheese n chicken sandwich, packet of crisps and another little cake   . I kept thinking in my head (whilst eating) “We’re actually on our way to New York”, “ Am I good enough?”, “How do I present myself etc?”.  Then I wrote down all the answers to the questions and ended up writing a few lyrics:

ALL OF ME

 

I give you all of me

From top of the hill to the   Niagara Fall of me

So be yourself, it’s kool wid me

One trip changed it all for me

Straight from her lips, her voice sed music could be a tool for me

Networking door to door

Now I’m in New York, hoping the crowd will applause for me

No going back for me

Slowly fillin gaps on da map for me

Actually, I got a CD in da bag for you

Have two

Roxanne remember me, I’ll be back soon.

 

 

Welcome

Welcome to this brand new blog, home to Cynthia from Punch and Roxanne, an MC from Birmingham, England.  We’ll be documenting our time in New York “chasing the dream” and the aftermath!

Please feel free to comment and feedback!